ARTICLE SUMMARY:
Arterial calcium can be dealt with using atherectomy tools to grind away debris from the inside of the vessel, but it is more challenging to remove from the medial layer of vessel tissue. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) addresses this discrepancy with an energy-based solution, and FastWave Medical is developing multiple IVL platforms that build upon currently available technology.
When plaque accumulates in the arteries over the years, it can form layers of calcium in the intimal and medial layers of the vessel. This calcific buildup often coincides with atherosclerosis and increases the risk of stroke and fatal cardiac events. Cardiovascular procedures are complicated by the presence of arterial calcium, and significant calcium burden can hinder balloon technologies from consistently dilating regions of the vessel. Atherectomy is one of the most commonly used treatments for calcific arterial disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis, involving the mechanical debridement of plaque from the inner surface of the artery, yet current tools cannot eliminate deeper, medial deposits of calcium.
Fortunately for CAD patients, a technique known as intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged to address the calcium burden more thoroughly. In an IVL procedure, a balloon modified with a series of ultrasonic transducers is advanced through the vessel, creating pressure waves that fracture calcium. Until recently, the only company offering IVL commercially has been Shockwave Medical, which posted revenue in excess of $237 million in 2021 (representing 250% growth from the previous year), but FastWave Medical co-founder and CEO Scott Nelson believes his latest start-up can improve on already promising technology.
